Coach Mirko Slomka said Thursday the American defender, who turns 34 on Feb. 19, had the operation a day earlier. Slomka did not give a projection for the right back's return.

Cherundolo has played 380 matches for Hannover, including 280 in the Bundesliga. He has 15 appearances this season but none since leaving a German Cup match against Borussia Dortmund on Dec. 19 in the 66th minute.

Cherundolo missed the United States' 2-1 loss at Honduras in World Cup qualifier on Wednesday and was replaced in the starting lineup by Nuremberg's Timmy Chandler.